Should I sell my diesel car to avoid any potential fall in value?

HazWatson

My dad generously bought me a Volkswagen Golf TDI (2014), but I am considering selling it and buying a petrol car of around the same age.

It's a fantastic car, but I don't regularly drive long distances (ruling out that advantage of a diesel car), and I'm concerned that, if I don't sell it soonish, the value will plummet on account of it being a diesel... It does fall within the Euro 6 category in terms of emissions, but I don't want to regret not selling it and buying something that would retain its value more.

Any thoughts anyone?

Aylesbury_Duck

If you're only driving on local, short trips at low speeds, the car will start to cost you a lot in maintenance. I wouldn't worry about the value as much.

Herzlos

It's almost always a bad idea to change car in order to save money. You'll take a hit on the selling and the buying, and it's unlikely to be recouped.


That said, if you're only doing small trips a diesel will likely result in expensive maintenance, and for the same money you'll get a nicer/newer petrol car.

redux

All cars depreciate, except the millionaire's collectors items, and more at the beginning than later.

That one might last another 20 years. What do you want to do in that time?

I don't understand why people keep posting this myth that diesels aren't for short trips. A petrol car runs rich while warming up, like having the choke out a bit in the era of carburettors; diesel doesn't. Look at vans used for multi-drop deliveries around built-up areas; how many petrol how many diesel?

My diesel car is in its 20th year, on a mixture of 4 and 12 and 40 and 150 and 500 mile trips. Maintenance isn't a problem. It's had a few quid spent this year, but that includes a cambelt and big service, some suspension parts, ready for the next 100,000 miles.

agrinnall

redux wrote: »

My diesel car is in its 20th year, on a mixture of 4 and 12 and 40 and 150 and 500 mile trips.

I'd guess in that case that it doesn't have a DPF, so the short journeys are less of an issue. I'd be pretty confident that the OP's car will have one, so it is an issue.

motorguy

redux wrote: »

All cars depreciate, except the millionaire's collectors items, and more at the beginning than later.

That one might last another 20 years. What do you want to do in that time?

I don't understand why people keep posting this myth that diesels aren't for short trips. A petrol car runs rich while warming up, like having the choke out a bit in the era of carburettors; diesel doesn't. Look at vans used for multi-drop deliveries around built-up areas; how many petrol how many diesel?

My diesel car is in its 20th year, on a mixture of 4 and 12 and 40 and 150 and 500 mile trips. Maintenance isn't a problem. It's had a few quid spent this year, but that includes a cambelt and big service, some suspension parts, ready for the next 100,000 miles.

And therein lies the reason you dont understand it - modern diesels like the O/P's will have a DPF which will be prone to clogging up particularly if only driven on short runs. If the DPF starts to clog up, it can affect the EGR valve and put extra stress on the turbo.

motorguy

HazWatson wrote: »

My dad generously bought me a Volkswagen Golf TDI (2014), but I am considering selling it and buying a petrol car of around the same age.

It's a fantastic car, but I don't regularly drive long distances (ruling out that advantage of a diesel car), and I'm concerned that, if I don't sell it soonish, the value will plummet on account of it being a diesel... It does fall within the Euro 6 category in terms of emissions, but I don't want to regret not selling it and buying something that would retain its value more.

Any thoughts anyone?

Ok... look at it this way
* The dealer will want £3k profit on your car, so he'll bid you low.
* The dealer will be getting £3k profit on the car he's selling you.

That would buy you a LOT of maintenance.

All cars depreciate so changing your car to avoice depreciation is not going to help, particularly once you factor in above costs.

HazWatson

Thanks motorguy, but what about selling privately though? (I'm very new to car sales!)

Herzlos

If you sell privately and buy privately you'll lose the least on it. You'll still need to pay to change insurance policies, lose a bit of tax, and other cost associated with the actual transactions (autotrader fees, test drive insurance, fuel to go view / test cars).


Got any family members who'd benefit more from having a diesel that you could swap with? Then at least the 'loss' is contained.


You should be at the upper end of the cash buying range (~£5k) so that shouldn't be too much of an issue - generally above that point people are likely to prefer a dealer for the warranty and financing.

redux wrote: »

Look at vans used for multi-drop deliveries around built-up areas; how many petrol how many diesel?

A multi-drop van will likely be warmed up by the first drop, and then isn't off for long enough (if at all) at each stop to cause any problems. It's not the jouney length that kills DPFs as such, it's the engine running cold.


A petrol car can be warmed up and running well within a mile (from memory, I haven't had one for a while) yet a diesel could take a lot longer. What kills DPFs in diesel cars is firing it up cold, driving it cold for a mile, parking it and letting it cool down, firing it up cold, driving for another mile and parking for it to cool.

foxy-stoat

The value wont "plummet" than it already has just because its a diesel - the main bulk of value has already gone.

Sell it if it no longer suits your needs.

martinthebandit

foxy-stoat wrote: »

The value wont "plummet" than it already has just because its a diesel - the main bulk of value has already gone.

Sell it if it no longer suits your needs.

....... is the right answer